Wind power assessments

According to the B.C. Environment Ministry, up until recently, wind projects generating more than 50 megawatts of power, or involving 15 or more turbines have been subject to an environmental assessment through the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office.

The ministry has stated wind projects have typically taken one to two years to complete the environmental assessment process, although no wind projects have been reviewed since B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Act was updated in 2018.

An important feature of the environmental assessment process is to analyze valued components (either environmental, social or economic) that may be affected by the wind project. The overall goal of the environmental process is not to stop projects but to ensure harms are identified and mitigated.

There are nine new wind power projects approved, with projects ranging from 94 megawatts to 200 megawatts. The province wants to develop projects quickly, stating they are moving approvals through a “one-window” permitting approach overseen by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, while other ministries will provide support to ensure coordinated and efficient consultation with First Nations, public engagement and efficient and transparent decisions.

However, it might be worth reminding the province that, currently, the BCEAO is the agency with the experienced staff and the expertise to conduct environmental assessments efficiently. Shifting a new process onto ministries that have never had this lead role or responsibility suggests a lack of understanding about how the on-the-ground overall coordination of an assessment really works.

Also, removing the independent oversight of the BCEAO to make the process go faster looks politically motivated and risks removing the transparency and clarity the environmental process requires.

Further, it is not clear time savings can be achieved as delays will be likely as new departments become familiar with their role and hire the necessary staff. Eliminating the BCEAO and established environmental assessment processes because the province has not been properly planning and investing in its energy security could harm the reputation and public confidence in the wind power sector moving forward.

Getting it right is important, if the province would like to update and streamline its environmental assessment process, it should do that. However, in the interim, let’s maintain

transparency, trust and completeness in the B.C. environmental assessment process that has come from following the proven approach that is in place.

Randy Sunderman